Enhancement of water permeation across a nanochannel by the structure outside the channel

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Dec 19;101(25):257801. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.257801. Epub 2008 Dec 15.

Abstract

We used molecular dynamics simulation to study the effect of the external structure on water permeation across a single-walled nanochannel. In contrast with the macroscopic scenario, the outside structure greatly affects the water transport across the nanochannel. Remarkably, the ratio of maximal to minimal flux reached a value of about two for different outside structures. These findings are expected to be helpful in design of high-flux nanochannels and provide an insight into the contribution of the lipid membrane to water permeation across biological water channels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism
  • Models, Chemical
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Thermodynamics
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Water